WEB RESOURCES

The Purple Crayon. A really terrific website by a former editor, Harold Underdown, that is full of all kinds of information – excerpts from his book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books, and other basic info about writing children’s books and getting them published; interviews with authors, editors, and agents; book reviews; publishing news, and other topics. A great place to begin.

SCBWI: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. An organization of over 19,000 members worldwide, which is open to published and UNpublished writers and illustrators of children’s books. The SCBWI sponsors regular conferences, and puts out a bi-monthly newsletter and other publications on the art and business of children’s writing. SCBWI can also help connect members to writing groups. If you are serious about writing and/or illustrating for children, you really must join SCBWI.

Children’s Book Insider. A good website to start out with and worth subscribing to their e-newsletter if you are committed to improving your writing. Lots of articles about writing children’s books and tips about submissions. And take a look at their blog, the Children's Writing Web Journal.

The Horn Book. Since 1924, a bimonthly journal of Children’s Literature. Book reviews, columns, articles, editorials, and several interesting, informative blogs. A selection of articles and other resources are available to read on the web, and you can sign up to receive Notes From the Horn Book, a monthly electronic newsletter that is free.

Children’s Book Council. The CBC is a non-profit trade association of U.S. publishers of trade books for children and young adults. They have industry news and a list online of current CBC members, with links to their websites.

School Library Journal. School Library Journal reviews all new books written for children. They host a selection of blogs with daily posts, with regular book reviews and lots of links and tips about children's literature. My favorites are A Fuse #8 Production, by librarian Elizabeth Bird, and 100 Scope Notes, by school librarian Travis Jonker.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. By a librarian who is a self-described "illustration junkie", this is should be the first stop for anyone who, like me, is also addicted to picture books. Interviews with illustrators, book reviews, and tons of art.

Twitter. There is a huge community of authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, and other picturebook lovers on Twitter. Go on over and join the conversation!